Champion Kaymer is happy to fly under the radar

Defending champion Martin Kaymer (pictured) is happy to fly under the radar as he looks to become the first player to win back-to-back US Open titles since Curtis Strange in 1989.

Kaymer left the field trailing in his wake when claiming his second major title at Pinehurst 12 months ago, setting a tournament record of 130 with opening rounds of 65 and eventually winning by eight shots.

It was the German's second wire-to-wire victory of the season after he led from start to finish in the Players Championship at Sawgrass, while he also helped Europe retain the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

However, after blowing a 10-shot lead in the Abu Dhabi Championship in January and finishing fourth a fortnight later in Dubai, Kaymer has missed the cut in four of his nine events.

And with Phil Mickelson seeking a win at Chambers Bay to complete the career grand slam, Masters champion Jordan Spieth targeting a second major win in succession and world number one Rory McIlroy in the spotlight, Kaymer has taken something of a back seat in the build-up.

"I'm under the radar, which is fine," Kaymer said. "Jordan, what he has done this year (in the Masters).

"It was impressive to watch that he didn't miss many putts. He played still very aggressively down the stretch the last few holes.

"Then what Rickie [Fowler] did at the Players.

"And then obviously Rory and those guys they're all four or five years younger than me, so they should get the credit for what they have achieved."